The RCMP Emergency Response Team, K-9 team and RCMP helicopter converged on Port Alberni Friday afternoon (July 22) after a man who stole a BC Ambulance Service support vehicle on the west coast was spotted in the central Island city.

The support vehicleB次元官网网址攏ot an ambulanceB次元官网网址攚as stolen in Ucluelet around 1:45 p.m., Port Alberni RCMP Const. Richard Johns said. The ERT was called in after Ucluelet RCMP made contact with the man and determined that he was potentially armed with a crossbow and a shotgun. The RCMP helicopter was also brought in, Johns said.

Police received a report from a homeowner near Airport Road, west of Port Alberni, that the man and BCAS vehicle were on his property; all available units from Port Alberni RCMP joined the pursuit. B次元官网网址淢embers were able to engage the vehicle in Port Alberni as well as Ucluelet,B次元官网网址� Johns said. An RCMP member spotted the stolen vehicle on Coleman Road and attempted to stop it, but the man B次元官网网址渢ook off at a high rate of speed.B次元官网网址� Because RCMP were able to track the vehicleB次元官网网址檚 GPS they did not give chase.

At 4 p.m. the vehicle was recovered and officers found the man nearby. B次元官网网址淗e was arrested without issue,B次元官网网址� Johns said.

The man was a suspect in a case of a stolen vehicle and uttering threats in View Royal and multiple break and enters in Sooke between July 19 and 20.

The large police presence in Port Alberni prompted many people to speculate whether it had to do with missing Port Alberni woman Amber Manthorne, but family spokesperson Kristie St. Claire posted Friday night on the Finding Amber Manthorne Facebook page that she had been assured by police that it had nothing to do with ManthorneB次元官网网址檚 disappearance.

Ucluelet was full of tourists from July 22-24 for the annual Ukee Days celebration at the fairgrounds.

B次元官网网址淲e received a lot of reports from the public,B次元官网网址� Johns said. B次元官网网址淧eople had a lot of concern for a BCAS vehicle that was being operated in a manner that was odd,B次元官网网址� and that the person behind the wheel did not look like a paramedic, he said.

B次元官网网址淲e appreciated the reports from the public, as well as the response from the Emergency Response Team, RCMP Dog Services and air aid.B次元官网网址�

The man is in custody and was awaiting a bail hearing at the beginning of the week, he added.

susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.com
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